Role of Macrophages and RhoA Pathway in Atherosclerosis

The development, progression, or stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque depends on the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages. The influx of the macrophages and the regulation of macrophage phenotype, inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, are controlled by the small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effectors. Therefore, macrophages and the components of the RhoA pathway are attractive targets for anti-atherosclerotic therapies, which would inhibit macrophage influx and inflammatory phenotype, maintain an anti-inflammatory environment, and promote tissue remodeling and repair. Here, we discuss the recent findings on the role of macrophages and RhoA pathway in the atherosclerotic plaque formation and resolution and the novel therapeutic approaches.     

A Hybrid Reconfigurability Structure and Improved Gain Characteristics for a Novel 5G Monopole Antenna for Future Mobile Communication

Wireless Personal Communications - Mobile edge computation (MEC) is a potential technology to reduce the energy consumption and task execution delay for tackling computation-intensive tasks on...     

The Influence of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on the Phospholipase D Isoforms Trafficking and Activity in Mast Cells

The impact of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on phospholipase D (PLD) trafficking and activity in mast cells was investigated. The enrichment of mast cells with different PUFA including α-linolenic acid (LNA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid (LA) or arachidonic acid (AA) revealed a PUFA-mediated modulation of the mastoparan-stimulated PLD trafficking and activity. All PUFA examined, except AA, prevented the migration of the PLD1 to the plasma membrane. For PLD2 no PUFA effects on trafficking could be observed. Moreover, PUFA supplementation resulted in an increase of mastoparan-stimulated total PLD activity, which correlated with the number of double bonds of the supplemented fatty acids. To investigate, which PLD isoform was affected by PUFA, stimulated mast cells were supplemented with DHA or AA in the presence of specific PLD-isoform inhibitors. It was found that both DHA and AA diminished the inhibition of PLD activity in the presence of a PLD1 inhibitor. By contrast, only AA diminished the inhibition of PLD activity in the presence of a PLD2 inhibitor. Thus, PUFA modulate the trafficking and activity of PLD isoforms in mast cells differently. This may, in part, account for the immunomodulatory effect of unsaturated fatty acids and contributes to our understanding of the modulation of mast cell activity by PUFA.     

Determination of Ethopabate Residues in Chicken Muscles, Liver, and Eggs after Aqueous SDS Extraction by Micellar Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection with Application to Baby Food

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method was optimized and validated for the analysis of ethopabate residues in chicken muscles, liver, and eggs. Aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution was used for extraction. Analytical separation was performed in less than 8 min using a C18 column (150?×?4.6 mm internal diameter, 5 μm particle size) with fluorescence detection at 271/364 nm. A micellar solution composed of 0.1 M SDS, 10 % 1-propanol, and 0.3 % triethylamine in 0.02 M phosphoric acid adjusted to pH?4 was used as the mobile phase. The method was fully validated in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The micellar method was successfully applied to quantitatively determine ethopabate residues in spiked chicken muscles, liver, and eggs. It was also extended to the determination of ethopabate residues in chicken-based baby food. The recoveries obtained were in the 93.81–115.67 % range. The limit of detection was found to be 1.6 ng/g. High extraction efficiency for ethopabate was obtained without matrix interference and in the subsequent chromatographic determination. No organic solvent was used during the pretreatment step.     

Off-axis cross-polarization and polarization efficiencies of reflector antennas

Cross polarization in reflector antennas is related to the polarization efficiency. Simple approximate expressions for the peak cross polarization are derived in terms of the polarization efficiency. Front-fed, Cassegrainian, and offset antennas are considered. It is shown that symmetrical antennas have lower peak sidelobes than offset antennas with the same polarization efficiency by approximately 2.5 dB. Excellent agreement between the present method and other methods is achieved. Formulas for the off-axis angle at which peak cross polarization takes place are also given for symmetrical and offset reflectors. It is found that for reflectors with the sameD/lambdaratio, symmetrical antennas have larger off-axis angles (1.6 times larger) for peak cross polarization in comparison with offset antennas.     

Crosspolarisation in Cassegrain and front-fed antennas

The superior off-axis crosspolarisation performance of Cassegrain antennas, compared with that of front-fed antennas, is emphasised for conventional primary feeds. This statement is supported by theory and by measurements on both configurations.     

Mucoadhesive dosage form of lidocaine hydrochloride: I. Mucoadhesive and physicochemical characterization

The aim of this study was to characterize a buccal mucoadhesive film using lidocaine and its hydrochloride salt (LDHCL) as a model drug. Buccal films were developed using carbopol 971P as a mucoadhesive polymer, and glycerol as a plasticizer. Scanning Electron Microscope, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infra Red techniques were used to characterize the mucoadhesive films. Bioadhesive properties were evaluated using the Universal Instron Instrument with chicken pouch as a model tissue.

LDHCL and its base were present in carbopol 971P films in a molecular dispersion state without exerting any effect on the glass transition of these films. The mucoadhesive force between the chicken pouches and the film containing glycerol did not change by time during the tested period (1-20 min), while increased with increasing the amount of glycerol (10-40% w/w of polymer content). Furthermore, a linear increase in the mucoadhesive force was accompanied by the increase in the film thickness, while a linear decrease followed by plateau was obtained when loading the patch with LDHCL at concentration above 1 mg/cm².

Loading carbopol film with lidocaine base, in a concentration up to 6 mg/cm² decreased linearly the mucoadhesive properties, which could be attributed to salt formation between the acidic carboxylic moiety of carbopol and basic lidocaine.